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Challenges Wont Stop Illinois FFA Convention
A suffering ag economy, difficult spring farming season, and operating difficulties imposed by COVID-19 protocols haven’t stopped the agriculture industry from fostering and supporting it’s next generation of future leaders!
For 20,000+ Illinois FFA members, state convention is the pinnacle event of the year, uniting its members under an inspiring theme and showcasing the incredible accomplishments of members across the state. An event this large takes the generous support of many agriculture industry partners. This year though convention will look drastically different.
Due to COVID-19 protocols, and with determination that the achievements and accomplishments of its members will not go unrecognized, the Illinois FFA for the first time in history will be holding its annual convention virtually. In the midst of this change, agriculture industry partners have not disappointed, and are once again stepping up to encourage, support, and inspire it’s young leaders proving once again that “Ag is Community”.
On July 16th at 7:00pm, six young leaders in agriculture from Champaign County will receive the States Degree, the highest honor bestowed on a member from the IL Association FFA. Three other young leaders will be recognized as American Degree candidates, an honor bestowed on less than 1% of members nationally.
We invite you to join the many agriculture industry partners and the CCFB Foundation online to recognize and celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of our Champaign County FFA leaders. The full convention schedule and live viewing link will be posted at https://www.ilaged.org/ as soon as its available.
Find out more here: https://www.facebook.com/IllinoisFFA/videos/1362987380551667/
FarmHouse Fraternity Feeds Those In Need
Submitted by Jacob Felsman
We’re lucky to have the men of FarmHouse Fraternity at the University of Illinois in our community!
When the the University of Illinois spring semester abruptly ended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the men of FarmHouse thought first of those in need throughout our community. In addition to their regular philanthropic projects, the men of FarmHouse donated $1,000 to Champaign County Food Banks. This donation supports those in need during the COVID-19 crisis and provides over 5,000 meals for families in our communities.
Thank you to the men of F
armHouse for making this impact on our Community!
Jacob Felsman is a graduate of Unity High School and is a Sophomore at the University of Illinois pursuing a degree in Crop Science.Jacob is a member of FarmHouse Fraternity is a current CCFB Foundation Scholarship Recipient.
Honoring the work for The University of Illinois College of ACES
In a time of need, employees at the University of Illinois Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory work to produce hand sanitizer for health care facilities. Learn more here!
Submitted by Champaign County 4-H Director Myla Murno
The Champaign Mixed Clovers 4-H Club sewed 53 face masks for community service. Fifty face masks were given to Carle Hospital. Members watched several videos on making the face masks and the Leader made patterns in adult and child sizes that were easier for the members to use. The members picked up pre-cut fabric and pattern with a sample in a sealed bag from a bench on the leader’s porch. Some members use their own fabric to cut out the face masks. One member taught her mom to sew a face mask and send a photo of her modeling the face mask. Members liked helping others and we’re happy to recognize their efforts! Great job, Champaign Mixed Clovers 4-H Club! We’re glad you’re a part of our Community!
Agriculture Is Community
Submitted by Emily Bluhm
A year ago, I was asked a very important question that has stuck with me ever since, “What does Agriculture mean to you?”
I have a passion for agriculture and for helping families who are a part of it, but this question threw me for a loop because I actually didn’t know WHAT agriculture meant to ME. Yes, it has been my family’s way of life for generations and is the leading industry in my county and state, but what did it mean to me personally?
Emily Bluhm celebrates with her grandparents Leon and Marge Bluhm.
It wasn’t until harvest of 2019 that I began to really understand my answer to this question. Agriculture means community. My grandmother and grandfather were both hospitalized with serious illnesses. My dad was juggling a harvest in difficult weather conditions while also caring for his parents. My grandmother’s condition became critical and dad had to drop everything to evaluate the options available to her and eventually be “on call” to assist with her transfer when a bed became available at a specialized care hospital. With this going on, there seemed no possible way to get the crops out of the field in time. Some neighbors stepped up and offered to help my family with harvest. They unselfishly interrupted their own harvest season to support their neighbor. I know that my dad would have offered the same act of kindness for them if they were in difficult circumstances. This is community. Farmers in my area all band together to get things done, give generously and look out for one another. This is what agriculture means to me.
Emily Bluhm is a graduate of Saint Joseph-Ogden High School and is a Sophomore at the University of Illinois pursuing a degree in Agricultural & Consumer Economics. She is the daughter of Doug and Lori Bluhm of St. Joseph. Emily is a current CCFB Foundation Scholarship Recipient.
Agriculture Is Community
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Scroll down to see all the good things happening in our Agricultural Community.
Click on this Image for a video message from CCFB Foundation Executive Director, Kirk Builta.
As our friends and neighbors continue to face new challenges, we remember that our agricultural community is strong and together we are resilient. Its through our current challenge that we have been reminded that Agriculture is Community.
We’ve seen it many times before – neighbors helping neighbors; friends assisting others in need. Sometimes these grand gestures receive front page accolades. Other times these small deeds simply go unnoticed. No matter how big. No matter how small. We want to spotlight each and every act of kindness. Every individual, family, group or company who is going above and beyond. Everyone who is shining a light in times of darkness.
What have you seen in our community? Share with us the stories you’ve seen of neighbors stepping up to the plate, 4-H Clubs, FFA Chapters, Church families, or others in our Ag Community who are making a difference. Perhaps it’s a recent effort to help combat the Coronavirus. Or maybe it’s a gesture from a few weeks, months, or years past.
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Agriculture is Community. And our Community is Strong.
